1 of 6
Alex Zander Photography
2 of 6
3 of 6
Kelly Bergman
4 of 6
Prince George Exhibition
5 of 6
Prince George Exhibition
6 of 6
By Sufey Chen
Acres of green space intertwine with urban Prince George streets. The only community in northern BC that offers big city amenities within mere minutes of beautiful, pristine forests and thrilling outdoor adventure, Prince George is surrounded by over 1600 lakes and rivers within an hour of the city. Outdoor enthusiasts will find everything they desire in the northern wilderness, including world-class fresh water fishing, hunting, waterfalls and photographic opportunities. Plus, with 650 hectares of challenging terrain for mountain bikers to explore, there is never a shortage of outdoor activity.
But where do you start to plan? Tourism PG has curated 365 activities that range from relaxing massages to extreme caving expeditions at takeonPG.com. Some are free, some are for families, and all are uniquely found in the Prince George area. Each month, you’ll find a solid lineup under “Featured Take.” This is where they hand pick activities that you can do each season, whether it’s winter, spring, summer or fall.
Within city limits, more than 120 parks of all shapes and sizes call Prince George home. Playgrounds, a water spray park, picnic facilities, beautiful hilltop flower gardens, and bird-watching spots can all be found minutes from the downtown area, with more challenging trails just outside the edge of our city.
Ride the last of its kind. Fort George Park hosts a mini-steam engine, water spray park, performance stage and picturesque riverside trails to stroll down. Enjoy free yoga in the park, outdoor concerts and annual Canada Day festivities.
In the summer, when school is out, Prince George is home to a number of outdoor soccer and baseball fields, and tennis courts. Eight golf courses can be found in the area, including the championship-style Aberdeen Glen, which has twice been nominated as the B.C. Professional Golfers’ Association facility of the year.
Drain a hole-in-one. Looking for a playful twist on traditional golf? Challenge a friend to a day of mini-golf at Raceway Go-Karts and Mini Golf!
As a core destination of the north, Prince George offers great shopping experiences for locals and visitors alike. Shoppers can delight in the city's big box stores, shopping malls and unique downtown boutiques, finding something for that special someone.
Window shop down a whole street. Fourth Ave, nicknamed “Specialty Avenue” by locals, boasts a unique blend of specialty stores. Peruse everything from handmade jewelry to luxury lighting to hilarious knick-knacks for every occasion.
Culture buffs, are in luck. The city offers downtown public and private art galleries, which offer classes and workshops, or just a space to wander through and ponder. Join a guided downtown historic walking tour, view the back alley mural project, or stroll through town taking in outdoor displays of public art, including Spirit Bears, Bridget Moran and Terry Fox statues. There are also two outstanding museums in Prince George that protect and archive our history. One is the Central British Columbia Railway & Forestry Museum, which is half indoors, and the other half outdoors, showcasing the first telephone, old railcars and even a mini railway ride. The other museum is the Exploration Place, where you can research local history, hold a tarantula and dig for dinosaur fossils.
Take your tea into the back room. Tucked away behind a huge art mural on 3rd Ave, Groop Gallery features the masterpieces of local and regional artists. Stop in for tea and visual delight at this hidden gem.
Refined palates and picky eaters will all be satisfied by the wide variety of dining options available in Prince George. Fine dining establishments and small local, authentic eateries line the downtown streets, but fit naturally alongside family friendly restaurants and dozens of recognizable fast food options. You may even come across a local food truck.
Events also play a prominent role in Prince George; the community has hosted everything from the annual British Columbia Northern Exhibition and the World Baseball Challenge to Elton John and Carrie Underwood in concert. In 2015, Prince George will host the nation for the Canada Winter Games. Athletes from ten provinces and three territories will compete in 19 sports with the dream of becoming the nations’ next champions and sharing a unique northern story with all of Canada.
Defy gravity. Test your fear factor at the largest fair in the north- the annual British Columbia Northern Exhibition. With everything from roller coasters to big bands to mini donuts, the BCNE is a family hit.
“There is always something exciting happening in Prince George. Travellers from around the globe are amazed by the natural beauty of our region and sometimes, they even come back to stay for good,” says Aidan Kelly, CEO of Tourism Prince George.
Visitors should stop in at the Visitor Information Centre located at 1300 First Avenue in the VIA Rail station. They would love to help you plan your activities, including loaning you free fishing rods and bicycles right from their office!
If you want to explore takeonPG.com on your own, browse the categories they’ve laid out under “Your Take.” Choose something exciting, relaxing, tasty, sporty, outdoors or with the family. They’ve found the best of local arts, culture and shopping.
Follow them on Twitter and Instagram @tourismpg for featured activities, upcoming events, free giveaways and more information or call 1-800-668-7646.